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| John Rothmann |
John Rothmann guested, as he always does on Presidents' Day, and you had about as terrific and informative a program as there is; (here's the audio link)--hey, Cumulus, if you keep this up, pretty soon you might have to hire this guy back and then you might have a legit radio station once again. Did you hear the show? He killed.
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| Ronn Owens |
What began as the usual subject matter of presidential trivia and stories soon morphed into the biggest news of the past day--the latest horror story from the Isis savages and its aftermath; both Owens and Rothmann provided the listeners a solid, candid assessment of what's going on and the ramifications that affect the US and the west. Rothmann, who knows the Middle East like George Will knows a conservative, was masterful in his analysis. Owens too who asked the right questions and delivered one of his best shows in years. It was most compelling and dare I say, entertaining.
More to the point it reinforced the idiocy that Rothmann isn't on KGO as a full-time host. And for what reason? Because he's perceived as a one-trick pony who concentrates only on foreign affairs and the Mid-East? I believe they have a guy from NY who does that type of program and he's pretty damn good. Just imagine if Rothmann were to precede him.
If Cumulus and KGO want to win back a part of their shrinking listenership they could do worse by hiring back Rothmann, who has a loyal legion of fans--yes, people who actually like to listen and talk about that age-old relic called "News-Talk" --remember that? It's a format that brought universal acclaim and legacy status to the station; a station that once dominated SF radio and was the envy of the industry.
Ronn, you done good on Monday--you too, Mr. Rothmann. Here's hoping your audience doesn't have to wait until Presidents' Day, 2016 to hear you on 810 AM again.
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Wow, Rich - ALL SOOOO TRUE! I don't often listen to Ronnnn in the 10:00 hour, but was able to today, and like you and many others, I'm sure - I was captivated. BUT - what makes you think the dickheads at Cumulus would have enough sense to to something as sensible as to put Rothmann back in the mix??? (If he'd even agree to such an offer). We can only hope -
ReplyDeleteThank you Rich for the positive piece on Ronn. I get a little tired of the constant Ronn bashing and this is coming from a big fan of yours, Rich. You will all miss him when he finally retires. Keep it up, Rich!
ReplyDeleteRich, though important, there is more going on in the world than Middle East politics. Ho-hum for me.
ReplyDeleteYou are right there are more going on in the world than Middle East politics, but not much else as important as Middle East politics, and if you use to listen to John when he had his own show, or filled in on a regular basis on 910, he does talk about many other subjects. He talks about politics, local and national as well as international. He talked about things affecting school in the Bay Area, and other Bay Area issues. He certainly was much more diversified than Rush (bash liberals and Obama) Savage same pretty much although a very different style, how diversified is Sean Hannity or Mark Levin? The few times in turn their show on it is always the same, except Levin screams a lot, Hannity at least has different guests on, and seem to have a sense of humor.
DeleteLieberman, answer for once, why don't you buy KGO, With your genius investors should be lining up. Or not..
ReplyDeleteAttention all personnel: Richie said something good about Lowenstein. See, he's fair. If Lowenstein is a putz, he calls him out. But today, he did good and Dickie saw it. So for those of you who think Ricardo is always negative about that piece of poop radio station, think again. Sadly, the interns are probably off today so they won't see this post and can't comment accordingly. Then again...
ReplyDeleteIt was a sideways compliment. He complimented him for having Rothman on the show.
DeleteYes, I was captivated too. Great news talk. Amazed to see your column.
ReplyDeleteRonn is still the gold standard in this market. Still has the knack of making you want to listen. And in that regard in this market he is a cult of one..
ReplyDeleteGold standard means a rating less than 1.0? I don't think so. They're just scared to fire him because they have no connection to the market. If Owens was let go no one would care or notice. Like the rest of kgo.
DeleteIf that were true, the Commonwealth Club wouldn't waste its time and trouble having him there as a host. I have to say Ronn was very nearly his old self that night. Not bad for almost seventy years old.
DeleteRich only said something nice about Ronnnnnnn because his buddy Rothmann was on. If Ronn had someone else on who is an actual expert like say Jim Miklaszewski Rich wouldn't have written anything. I'll bet you a dollar Rothmann is one of Rich's paying customers who gets that extra email inbox service! Rothmann is a one trick pony and because Rich knows NOTHING about demographics or the purpose of content in these times he is all about promoting him. Yeah, Richie, just because he has deep pockets does not mean you have to be so transparent. This is fit to print of course but like so many other comments it probably won't be. Rich never talks about how he'd manage a radio station because he wouldn't know the first thing to do having never been a radio professional.
ReplyDeleteIn the 3 years I have been reading this blog, I have never read or heard something suggestion that John Rotheman is paying Rich. If you are so sure, why don't you bet more than a dollar?
DeleteIt wouldn't surprise me one bit. Rich never says bad things about former hosts like Rothmann and Len. Constantly bags on employed people. No way to prove anything lieberman does including his likely bogus claim that he doesn't post anonymously. Nothing he says matters and more likely than not any credit he gives to others would only serve to harm their prospects.
DeleteThis morning KGO was truly excellence in broadcasting. Much like the old days that we all miss.
ReplyDeleteI agree that Ronn's 10-11 hour was great radio. It was also a wonderful counterbalance for this past weekend, when KGO was running "Brain Health Program" infomercials for the con-men who peddle bogus medical supplements to the masses. Now we have both KGO and KKSF giving a weekend voice to the creeps who peddle worthless crud like that, over the air. It's not as bad as peddling penis pills, like some stations still do at night; but, it's not a whole lot better, either! As has been said on here countless times: How far the mighty have fallen.
ReplyDeleteI listened to the replay this Tuesday morning at 4am. It was good but SO MANY COMMERCIALS! As soon as they get into an interesting topic they break for 5 minutes. Completely destroys the flow.
ReplyDeleteWhat you're describing here is one of the main reasons I really appreciated KGO over the years. They would do their light topics (which is fine with me) but whenever a major story was breaking you could count on KGO for intelligent, informed discussion on whatever the topic was. All too often (for me, anyway) when I tune in now it's "lifestyle talk:" like; A child in San Bruno was sent home yesterday for not combing her hair. What's up with that? Some of that's fine, but it's most of what I hear now on KGO. I suppose it's part of the Cumulus PPM strategy to go "quick and light," but I vote for more substance.
ReplyDeleteHow in the hell does Rothman not have a regular radio gig right now? Why does KGO think they can do better with Drex or Chip?
ReplyDeleteHow much is Ronn paying you to be his shill?
ReplyDeleteDo you ever read this blog? Rich a shill for Ronn? You are kidding, right? If Rich writes 10 blogs about Ronn, I might be complementary, one might be somewhat fair, and the rest rips him to pieces. I'm not saying what I think is right or wrong, just pointing out what is factual.
DeleteRothman has some pride. He would require some money and some respect. Chip and Drex don't have so much pride, and are willing to work for the peanuts Atlanta is offering -- and are willing have their shows stepped on by "brain health" ads whenever sales says so.
ReplyDeletePride is easy when you are already loaded, as Rothman is. This is not a knock on him, just the truth that he is well off.
DeleteIt was an excellent show and I go out of my way to listen to Rothmann. He is perceived as a one-trick pony because that's how he's used - to update us on the political world and talk about the Middle East. I listened to him when he was on KGO and he can talk about any number of topics. He's respectful to listeners and it's hard to find anyone with a memory like his and the ability to convince others to hear a different point of view. Bring him back!.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, content isn't valued at KGO. Sellable time is - and not in the form of commercial ads, but whole hours (infomercials). The weekend hours are being taken down, one by one, and then what happens? Weekdays are the obvious next shootin' ground.
ReplyDeleteCumulus gets bigger checks for whole hours than they can for commercials inside quality content - good talk. They don't have to pay hosts, producers, call screeners, or skilled engineers, just board baby-sitters. They don't have to re-up one advertising client at a time, for a passel of ten, fifteen, or thirty-second spots. One check, one whole hour, thirteen weeks, almost zero overhead.
While that's the priority, any successful efforts at decent programming will be no more than a happy coincidence. Local, high-quality hosted shows as we know and value them are doomed. You can't convince Cumulus to put in the extra time and money to cultivate and maintain good hosts, and sell time inside those shows, when their eyes are on the bigger, easier dollars that infomercials bring.
Don't bother telling them the tale of the golden goose. They and iHeart have heard all about it, and don't care. The geese are bleeding all over the yard, and they're still cashing checks.
It WAS excellent radio. Great column, Rich.
ReplyDeleteI join the many comments above, bring John Rothmann back, he is missed. I happened to be interested in Middle East politics, politics in general, and history, so listening to John is heaven to me, same could be said for the late Gene Burns. However, I have little hope Cumulus will do that, and as one blogger above said, John would want decent money and some respect, I gather he does not need the money. Having said that he comes off as someone who loves being a talk show host, and talking calls from listeners. that is worth a lot. Certainly Gil Gross sounds more like he is in love with his own voice and stories, rather than taking calls. Savage complains a lot, he is negative, I don't think he loves being on the radio, but then I don't think Savage loves much of anything (except himself) he is just very negative. The same for Levin. Cumulus keep hiring inferior, which I gather into cheap hosts (Montemayor, Matt Ray (who was okay) then when the ratings are low, firing them and the hiring someone else mediocre and cheap. As for the 2 latest host to join KGO, I like Chip Franklin, he is no Gene Burns or Rothman, but he sounds intelligent, has a fairly balanced view, does not repeat right or left wing talking points, his show has a nice pace to it, and he has a sense of humor. As for Drex not so much, I have tried to listen to hime several times (at least 3-4 times a week since he started, and only once or twice was he able to hold my attention for more than a few minutes.
DeleteYesterday, on President's Day he talked about young couples having babies and annoying their friends, not one word about any of our Presidents, don't know if he should be blamed or Cumulus should. All I can say what an asinine subject, and what kind of empty headed, shallow, low intelligent listeners do Cumulus think they have. I guess in they few years they have gummed down the station that might be most of their listening audience. Except for us few who is still hanging in there, hoping to hear some intelligent radio, which on occasion we do (Thurston, Christine Kraft, Ronn a few others) or because the alternative is even worse. Like Gil, Joel and Corey, Sussmann, Levin. You get the picture, I'm sure.
I agree with your assessments of Chip Franklin. By and large, I enjoy his show. Though I think he falls victim to what is clearly a directive from KGO management to change the topic every 30 minutes or less, even if the current topic is drawing callers.
DeleteI also enjoy that I had to listen to him for a while to figure out where he sits, politically. I find that refreshing. And I also enjoy his sidewalk conversations with San Franciscans. That sidewalk interview approach worked well for Jay Leno, for a very long time. Plus, it adapts readily from TV to radio.
Not really putting this up as a comment, but you should really listen to KGO archive Tuesday Feb 17th at 8:36 to 8:37. As John Lobertini is finishing up his spiel, some clip comes blasting through and then cut off. You can hear someone ("Lobo" I believe) say "Jesus, Karen." Hilarious. KGO gets worse as the days go. It is like the parents are away. And Dreck still sucks. Correction; he is getting worse. "Sacratomato" and "computator" are his favorite words along with "wacky-nutty" Wow, this guy is just pure gold.
ReplyDeleteRich, you are certainly correct about John Batchelor. Best broadcaster out there, but his station and time slot has moved so often it's often hard to find him. Wish they aired him live.
ReplyDelete